Field tester with VoIP

Anritsu has released software version 3.5x for its CMA 3000 field tester.

The main feature is the support of the SDH STM-16 test options, plus the availability of new voice over IP (VoIP) test options.

For VoIP testing the instrument can establish a call and answer incoming calls. By connecting an analog phone to the CMA 3000 the user can make a conversation with the called/calling party.

Statistics collected during the call will tell the user about the performance of the communication line used for the call. Based on this an add-on option can present voice quality information in terms of mean opinion score and R-factor values for one call at the time.

The VoIP options work with the ethernet test interface options for the instrument that are: the 10/100/100 Mbps ethernet option with electrical interfaces and optional 100/1000 Mbps optical interfaces; and the 10/100 Mbps ethernet option with electrical interfaces.

To make a realistic test case the instrument can generate/receive up to eight calls simultaneously. These calls can be made on one or both test ports in the ethernet option. If the instrument is also equipped with the ethernet multistream option, each of the eight calls can be assigned to a stream, for instance allowing individual configuration of priority for the calls.

Thanks to the VoIP call emulation capability the user can quickly verify the connectivity through the network. The voice quality measurement option makes it straightforward to get information on the quality of the connection as it will be perceived by the VoIP users.